Graduate Studies
From its founding in 1918, the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University has been a diverse, scholarly community dedicated to serving education through teaching, scholarship, and outreach. In 2018, the School of Education (SED) merged with Wheelock College. This led to an expansion of academic programs in education and human development.
- We prepare professionals to lead in education and human development, to practice social responsibility, and to exemplify intellectual curiosity.
- We conduct scholarship that advances knowledge and refines practice.
- We collaborate with local and global partners using the best practices in education and human development to forge more caring, just, and sustainable societies.
- We are committed to transforming systems designed to support children and families.
- We are focused on advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion through our curriculum, partnerships, research, funding, and scholarship.
We are dedicated to preparing outstanding professional educators, counselors, child life specialists, educational leaders, and policy analysts who produce research that improves the practice of education and human development and provides excellent professional support to our partners in the field.
Graduate Programs
Graduate programs at the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development offer specialized advanced learning opportunities for individuals in many areas of education and human development, including early childhood education; elementary and secondary education; higher education administration; special education; counseling; and policy, planning, and administration. (For specific programs, see the Programs section.) The flexible, interdisciplinary nature of the school’s programs responds to the realities of today’s changing educational environment. Many of our programs allow for full-time or part-time study. A number of programs offer late afternoon and evening courses to accommodate students completing fieldwork and working professionals. Selected programs are offered fully online.
Note: For requirements of degrees and certificate programs, see “Degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Requirements” below.
Students may take courses from a number of the 17 schools and colleges of Boston University, designing a course of study specific to their professional needs within the boundaries of the educational specialization. Also, Boston University belongs to an area consortium of institutions—which includes Boston College, Brandeis University, Hebrew College, and Tufts University—allowing cross-registration for graduate students with the approval of faculty advisors.
Degree Programs
The Wheelock College of Education & Human Development offers the following graduate degrees:
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
- Master of Education (EdM)
- Master of Education (EdM) with Master of Social Work (MSW) Dual Degree
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Science (MS)
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)
- Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
- Doctor of Education (EdD) in Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Studies
Certificate Programs
The Wheelock College of Education & Human Development also offers nondegree graduate certificate programs in the following areas:
- Literacy Intervention in Grades 3–6: A Program for Literacy Leaders
- Community-Engaged Research & Evaluation
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Elementary Education
- English Education
- Mathematics Education
- Physical Education
- Science Education: Biology
- Science Education: Chemistry
- Science Education: General Science
- Science Education: Physics
- Social Studies Education
- Special Education: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–8
- Special Education: Moderate Disabilities, Grade 5–12
- Special Education: Severe Disabilities
*Please note: This program is on a moratorium. We are not accepting new students into the program at this time.
Degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Requirements
Minimum course requirements for all graduate programs must be met by graduate courses (500 level or higher).
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
A joint program with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the MAT program is a one-calendar-year program designed for liberal arts majors who want to continue their graduate studies in an academic field and at the same time secure teacher licensure. Students may be admitted to programs in preparation for teaching English, history, mathematics, world languages (Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, Spanish), social studies, or science at the secondary level. The MAT program requires a minimum of 46 graduate-level credits. (Please note that the MAT in English requires 48 credits for graduation.) The MAT credit requirements include a supervised practicum for initial licensure.
Master of Education (EdM)
If accepted, candidates must complete a minimum of 32 credits, approved by the advisor. One of the courses must be SED RS 600 Introduction to Research or its equivalent. In addition, a supervised practicum may be required, depending on the program. Programs may require graduate credits beyond the 32-credit minimum.
Master of Education with MSW in Social Work
Students must complete a minimum of 50 credits in Social Work, 24 credits in Education, and 9 credits from either Social Work or Education. Specific coursework varies depending upon specialization in Social Work and Education.
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)
School-wide requirements for the CAGS include a minimum of 30 credit hours and successful completion of a capstone project or comprehensive examination. Again, some programs may require more than 30 credits.
Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
Candidates complete coursework, comprehensive qualifying tasks, and dissertation research as a part of their doctoral studies. Students must take a minimum of 32 credits of coursework including four research courses (although some programs require more). Twelve credits of dissertation are required by most programs as well.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development
The PhD in Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development requires between 82 and 90 credits, including five to seven research courses, depending on the specialization. In addition, students complete three comprehensive qualifying tasks and dissertation research, while registering for a minimum of 6 credits of dissertation advising.
Students entering the PhD program in Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development must complete research requirements as specified below:
| Counseling Psychology Research Methods |
Applied Human Development Research Methods |
| CAS MA 614 or SED RS 653 Quant Res Methods (4 cr) |
CAS MA 614 or SED RS 653 Quant Res Methods (4 cr) |
| CAS MA 684 Applied Multiple Regression (4 cr) |
CAS MA 684 Applied Multiple Regression (4 cr) |
| SED RS 652 Qualitative Research Methods (4 cr) |
SED RS 652 Qualitative Research Methods (4 cr) |
| SED RS 654 Ed. Inquiry & Proposal Writing (4 cr) |
SED RS 654 Ed. Inquiry & Proposal Writing (4 cr) |
| SED RS 750 Advanced Research Seminar (4 cr) |
SED RS 750 Advanced Research Seminar (4 cr) |
|
Two additional advanced research courses (8 cr) |
Comprehensive Examinations
Additionally, doctoral students must complete written comprehensive examinations (or equivalent). Note that comprehensive examination requirements vary by program; students should consult with their advisors to learn about the specific program requirements.
Doctoral Dissertation
An approved doctoral dissertation is required. Each program establishes requirements for dissertation research and dissertation advisement credit hours; consultation with program advisor is essential.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Studies
BU Wheelock’s PhD in Educational Studies is designed for students who wish to contribute to the field’s understanding of teaching and learning through research. The program prepares students for careers as research-active faculty in R1 institutions, with a focus on research in one of four areas of specialization:
- Educational Policy Studies
- Language & Literacy Education
- Math & Science Education
- Special Education
Students entering the PhD program in Educational Studies must complete research requirements as specified below:
Research and Teaching Apprenticeships
- Each semester, PhD students are required to engage in some combination of research and teaching apprenticeships up to 20 hours per week.
- When engaging as a Teaching Fellow or Instructor of Record, students register for SED CT 700 Teaching Apprenticeship; 0 credits.
- When engaging in a research apprenticeship, students register for SED RS 700 Doctoral Research Apprenticeship; 0 credits.
Research Courses (minimum: 20 credits)
- SED RS 652 Qualitative Research Methods or equivalent (required)
- SED RS 653 Quantitative Research Methods or equivalent (required)
Three additional courses; options include the following, as well as other courses across Boston University and at consortium partners:
- GRS PS 711 Statistics in Psychology (I and II)
- SED LS 726 Discourse Analysis
- SED RS 654 Educational Inquiry and Proposal Writing
- SED RS 655 Mixed Methods Research
- SED RS 750 Advanced Research Seminar
- SED RS 752 Seminar in Qualitative Research
- SED RS 754 Causal Design in Education Research
- SED RS 760 Design-Based Research
In addition, students complete two qualifying tasks and a dissertation. For more information about the specific requirements, please see the PhD in Educational Studies information on this Bulletin.
Joint and Dual Degree Programs
The Wheelock College of Education & Human Development participates in an interdisciplinary program in applied linguistics leading to the PhD degree, based in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Applicants apply to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
A dual degree program in Educational Policy & Leadership (EdM) or Special Education (EdM or EdD) and Social Work (MSW) is offered by the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and the School of Social Work. Please see the Special Education section.
Residency Requirements for Doctoral Candidates
Each doctoral candidate must spend a minimum of two consecutive semesters in residence at Boston University. Residence is defined as registration for a minimum of 12 credit hours at the University during each of two consecutive semesters. (Summer terms may be considered one semester.) The residency requirement may be met by holding a research or teaching assistant position or by being employed at Boston University 35 hours or more per week and registering for a minimum of 8 credit hours for two consecutive semesters. For additional information, students should contact their academic advisors.
Licensure of Educational Personnel
Many professions that students prepare for at the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development require certification/licensure by the state or commonwealth in which the student wishes to practice. The Professional Preparation office provides coordinated services for field education and supports students and alumni seeking professional licensure and certification. Appropriate course selection to meet these standards and any additional requirements are the responsibility of the student. For each program leading to a license in Massachusetts, a specific sequence of courses is required. A description of each sequence and information about additional requirements are available through academic programs.
Students completing a Massachusetts-approved teaching licensure program are also required to take and pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) associated with specific academic fields. After successfully graduating from BU’s educator preparation program and passing the required MTEL, students are eligible, through a reciprocal agreement, for initial teacher licensure in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. It is imperative that a student discuss their plans with an advisor at the initial conference and throughout the course of their academic program. BU Wheelock’s Professional Preparation office is designed to support students pursuing professional licensure.
Accreditation
Boston University, including the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). The Wheelock College of Education & Human Development is fully accredited to offer programs leading to the Master of Education, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Philosophy, and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS). The University confers the degrees and CAGS for candidates recommended by the faculty of the school and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Admissions
Applicants must apply and be admitted to a degree program in order to enroll as a degree candidate.
Transfer of Credits
Master’s and CAGS students may transfer up to 8 credits into the program. Doctoral students may transfer up to 16 external credits or 20 internal credits into the program. Credits must be applicable. Faculty advisors have final approval over which credits will be accepted and applied to a particular degree program. Graduate candidates who wish to have credits accepted must submit a petition to the Wheelock Data & Enrollment Management office, after a formal offer of admission is made. Students exceeding the credit limit are assumed to be taking the work for purposes other than application toward a degree or CAGS.
